PSY CH 98

[Big Brother]

After the family meeting, Joosung—who hadn’t reached out since—finally called Jooyoung for the first time. 

“…”

After some hesitation, Jooyoung didn’t answer. Two more calls came after that. When he ignored those too, Joosung sent a text. 

[I’m not calling to scold you. Just pick up.]

He probably was angry. After all, Jooyoung had abruptly told them the day before that he wouldn’t attend the family meeting. From Joosung’s perspective, it was enough to be furious. He was the one who usually “disciplined” Jooyoung on their parents’ behalf, since they rarely raised their voice at him. That’s why even this text—saying he wasn’t calling to scold him—didn’t feel convincing.

Jooyoung knew he couldn’t avoid it forever. But right now, he didn’t want to talk to anyone in his family. So, he deliberately ignored the message.

“Oppa, can you carry this for me?”

Arin was completely hidden behind three tarp bags stuffed full with winter blankets. Jooyoung pocketed his phone and grabbed two of them.

“No, no, just take one! I can carry the rest.” 

“It’s fine. Just open the door.”

“You’re only helping because you want a nice dinner later, huh!”

Arin playfully poked him in the arm. Jooyoung smiled faintly and stepped outside through the door Arin held open. The winter blankets were heavy, but still manageable.

Lately, Arin had been extremely busy—taking nursing assistant classes during the day and working night shifts at a factory. They didn’t see each other as often as before, but despite the physical toll, her complexion had visibly improved. Her debt probably wasn’t fully resolved yet, but at least things seemed more stable.

They walked side by side toward Arin’s place with the bags in hand. As they crossed the street, Jooyoung spotted a familiar face on the other side. It was Hangyeol.

He approached with his usual light, dance-like steps but walked right past Jooyoung without a word. Instinctively, Jooyoung stopped walking. He turned to look back, and Hangyeol was already far down the street.

“…”

Even though he had a headset on, Jooyoung clearly saw his eyes beneath his deeply pulled cap. Their gazes met. And yet, Hangyeol acted like he didn’t see him at all—just walked past him like a complete stranger.

“You guys fight or something?”

Arin glanced between Jooyoung and Hangyeol.

“No.”

“Then what’s his deal?”

Arin wrinkled his nose, as if to say, Did you see the way he was glaring at you earlier?

“I don’t know…”

“Don’t mind him. He’s always hot and cold—clingy one second, ghosting the next.”

Arin had never liked how friendly Hangyeol acted toward Jooyoung, but now that Hangyeol was ignoring him, Arin seemed even more annoyed. After that apology, Things seemed to cool off between them, but maybe not. Given how small the town was and how much he’d experienced firsthand, it made sense Arin still held a grudge.

“…”

Jooyoung also knew that Hangyeol acted unusually friendly toward him. He had found it strange at first, but since Hangyeol’s behavior was always light and casual, he hadn’t thought much of it.

But had something happened to make him suddenly act this cold?

Now that he thought about it, yesterday had been weird too. When they’d run into each other at the arcade, Hangyeol had ignored him entirely, as if he didn’t even exist.

“…”

A faint crease appeared between Jooyoung’s brows. A subtle suspicion began to form.

The movie was ramping up to its climax, but Dohyun was still on the phone. Instead of pausing it, Jooyoung just lowered the volume. Dohyun’s voice came through more clearly now.

“Yeah, I’ll try talking to Gyeol about it.”

It sounded like he was speaking to Hangyeol’s parents. Hangyeol’s name had come up several times during the call, and Dohyun was being much more formal than usual. Combined with what happened earlier, Jooyoung started to wonder if something was going on with Hangyeol. 

Before long, Dohyun finished the call and came into the living room.

“Something happen?”

He looked slightly startled, as if he hadn’t expected Jooyoung to ask.

“It’s not really… an issue.”

“…”

“It’s about the store. I can’t reach the guy.”

Jooyoung recalled running into Hangyeol at the intercity bus terminal once, sitting blankly among a crowd of elderly passengers. Back then, he’d laughed and said he was thinking of running away from home. He’d also briefly opened up about the stress he was under because of the family business.

“Hangyeol…”

Jooyoung was about to mention what happened earlier today, but decided against it. It was still just a hunch, and for all he knew, Hangyeol had his reasons. It was better to wait and see.

“He didn’t seem to like working at the store.”

As he pressed the play button again, Dohyun replied in a neutral tone.

“Well, he doesn’t have siblings, so he doesn’t really have a choice.”

“…”

“It’s not like the store’s failing. It’s actually better for him, honestly.”

Sooeun had said something similar—how it was a good thing that he didn’t have to worry about job hunting.

Was that really true? Jooyoung respected his parents’ work, but he had never once thought he had to take over their business. Most families who didn’t run their own business would probably feel the same.

“But honestly, I hate dealing with seafood, and serving just isn’t for me. But my parents expect me to take over the business, so they keep nagging me to learn it all quickly…”

Jooyoung rested his chin on his hand, recalling the image of Hangyeol clumsily preparing seafood. It really did look like he was wearing clothes that didn’t fit—completely out of place.

“Isn’t it hard for you?”

Between managing the building, the adult arcade, the PC room, and the lodging house, Dohyun had more on his plate than anyone. Yet he had never once shown a hint of exhaustion.

“It’s not like it’s physically demanding.”

Dohyun clamped his lips shut as if he didn’t want to continue the conversation. Jooyoung picked up on the mood and didn’t press. Thinking about it, it wasn’t like he had any other option. With no one to take care of him, he had no choice but to support himself.

Before long, the movie ended and the credits started to roll. Jooyoung naturally glanced at the clock on the wall. The short hand was nearing twelve. Time to leave.

“I should go.”

Jooyoung shifted his gaze from the clock to Dohyun. But Dohyun wasn’t looking at him. He was staring at the floor, pressing into the center of his opposite palm with his thumb.

“…You can stay over.”

It hadn’t been planned, but Jooyoung had ended up sleeping over at Dohyun’s place every other day lately.

There was a nervous tension about him as he waited for a response. Seeing that, Jooyoung suddenly felt like teasing him. 

“Do you want to do it?”

Dohyun’s head snapped up. He looked genuinely startled—but quickly scowled when he realized it was a joke.

“What the hell—what, you think I’m obsessed with that or something?”

“But you are, aren’t you?”

“…””

“Fine, never mind.”

Jooyoung said it with a laugh, his nose scrunching playfully. It was a childlike smile.

“Alright, I’ll stay.”

Still stunned, Dohyun abruptly turned his head and shot up from the couch. The back of his neck was flushed a deep red.

“I’ll go get you some clothes.”

As he rubbed under his chin and turned to go, Jooyoung stopped him.

“No, give me that one.”

Dohyun turned back with a bewildered look.

“This one. Hurry.”

Unbothered by the reaction, Jooyoung confidently tugged at the hem of Dohyun’s hoodie.

“…Ha.”

Dohyun let out an exasperated laugh, but didn’t refuse. He crossed his arms and shrugged off the thick hoodie he was wearing, handing it over. His hand was nonchalant, but he still couldn’t meet Jooyoung’s eyes, and his neck remained red.

Without hesitation, Jooyoung slipped it on. Dohyun’s strong scent wrapped around him, instantly calming his body and mind.

“…”

Seeing that, Dohyun awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck with both hands. Even the slight movement caused the muscles under his short-sleeved T-shirt to shift visibly. He seemed embarrassed, but he kept sneaking glances, as if he didn’t actually mind Jooyoung wearing his clothes.

“It smells like you in here.”

“Ugh, seriously.”

He still couldn’t be immune to comments like that.

“Can you not say stuff like that?”

His discomfort only made Jooyoung chuckle more.

“Why do you keep telling me not to do things?” 

“…”

“You’re the one who said you wanted me to like you.”

Dohyun’s eyes widened, surprised that Jooyoung would bring that up here. His genuinely startled expression was so cute that Jooyoung couldn’t help but laugh again.

He gently grabbed Dohyun’s hand and gave it a small tug. It wasn’t even strong, but Dohyun didn’t resist. He reluctantly sat back down on the couch, turning his head and resting his chin in his hand as if showing his face would give everything away. With how small his face was and how big his hands were, his whole jaw disappeared behind his palm. Only his stubborn eyes stared out at nothing in particular.

Jooyoung’s teasing smile deepened. He placed a hand on Dohyun’s shoulder and started to move closer on his knees—until something caught his eye and made him pause.

“…”

It wasn’t unfamiliar at this point. He’d held Dohyun’s scarred arms many times when they were together.

“Is this a burn?”

One patch of skin had a pale pink hue different from the rest. There were other small scars too, but that one was the largest and most noticeable. It was shiny and textured—clearly a burn.

Dohyun glanced at where Jooyoung’s thumb was touching and replied casually, “Yeah.”

“When did it happen?”

“A long time ago.”

“How did it happen?”

Suddenly, Dohyun’s entire demeanor turned sharp. 

“What do you want to know that for?”

His voice chilled, laced with an invisible edge.